Since the tear is less than 10 percent, a trio of top orthopedic surgeons suggested to the Yankees a rehabilitation program be attempted instead of jumping right into Tommy John surgery.

The first step in that program comes Monday, when Tanaka will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection. It is hoped the rehab situation will return Tanaka to the mound in roughly six weeks. However, if the process doesn’t work, the 25-year-old Tanaka could be a candidate for Tommy John surgery, which requires between 12 and 18 months of recovery time.

“As recently announced from the team, I will be going through some treatment and rehab on my injured elbow over the next several weeks. I give everything I have every time I take the ball. With that, I also know that there will always be a risk of injury when playing this game that I love,’’ Tanaka said in a statement released by the Yankees. “Right now I feel that the most important thing for me is to keep my head up, remain focused on the task at hand and devote all my energy into healing the injury in order to come back strong.

“I want to apologize to the Yankees organization, my teammates and our fans for not being able to help during this time. I accept this injury as a challenge, but I promise to do everything I can to overcome this setback and return to the mound as soon as possible.”

Working in the Yankees’ favor is the degree of the tear. Joba Chamberlain said Thursday night his ligament was completely torn and he was not a rehab candidate when he had Tommy John surgery in 2011. Matt Harvey also had a full tear, but that wasn’t diagnosed until after he had Tommy John surgery last fall. The Mets pitcher attempted rehab first.

Yankees reliever Shawn Kelley, who has had two surgeries, said a 25-percent tear is about the point at which doctors prefer surgery to rehab.

Kelley’s first tear was 50 percent and the second surgery was done to re-attach his ligament to the bone.

Since Tanaka’s velocity increased instead of dropping in his last start Tuesday night against the Indians in Cleveland and he hadn’t been consistently out of the strike zone (three walks in the previous 29 ²/₃ innings), Kelley said, “That’s why they probably think they can rehab it.’’

Tanaka, whose 12 wins led AL hurlers going into Friday night’s action, was 1-3 with a 4.25 ERA in his last four games.

Manager Joe Girardi often talks about one door closing and another opening, but losing four starters before the All-Star break is very difficult to overcome, especially when the Yankees’ lineup isn’t a run-scoring machine.

“Certain people are difficult to replace. Not every starter was going to go 12-4 with [2.51] ERA, but sometimes you have to get a little bit from other spots and try to hold teams down and score runs,’’ Girardi said. “I don’t think anyone plans on having four starters on the DL from the rotation. We have to figure it out.’’

Even losing Tanaka for six weeks is a blow for the Yankees, who have watched 80 percent of their Opening Day rotation land on the disabled list. Ivan Nova (Tommy John surgery) is done for the season and it’s possible CC Sabathia (inflamed right knee) won’t pitch again. Michael Pineda hasn’t pitched since late April due to suspension and a terres major muscle injury in his right upper back.

Now, the Yankees’ fingers are firmly crossed Tanaka can return at some point this season.